Somerset County officials announced the arrest of Austin Evan Whitmire, 24, Falls Church, Virginia, for assault on a police officer.
Officials stated that on Friday, September 23, at approximately 11:47 p.m., the Branchburg Township Police Officers responded to a business for a report of a disorderly customer who was attempting to break a fence in the parking lot.
Upon their arrival, officers were directed to a male who was identified as Austin Whitmire who was in the business parking lot bleeding from his right hand.
While speaking with Austin Whitmire, he punched the fence and then began yelling, cursing, and lunged towards one of the officers.
The officers restrained Austin Whitmire and while attempting to handcuff him he refused to comply with their verbal commands and kicked one of the officers on the thigh.
An additional officer sustained a minor laceration to his leg which occurred during the arrest.
While being transported to an area hospital by the Branchburg Rescue Squad for treatment to his hand, Austin Whitmire spat at one of the officers who were escorting him into the ambulance.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that defendant Whitmire was charged with 3rd degree Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, 4th degree Throwing Bodily Fluid on a Law Enforcement Officer, Criminal Mischief and Resisting Arrest both Disorderly Person Offenses, and Creating Public Alarm, a Petty Disorderly Persons Offense.
After receiving medical treatment, defendant Whitmire was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor McDonald and Chief Fodor request anyone with information relating to this incident to contact the Branchburg Township Police Department at (908) 526-3830 or via the STOPit app.